[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/phpbb/session.php on line 571: sizeof(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/phpbb/session.php on line 627: sizeof(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/phpbb/session.php on line 1075: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3925)[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/phpbb/session.php on line 1075: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3925)[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/phpbb/session.php on line 1075: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3925)[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 494: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 113: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 113: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 113: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 113: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 113: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 113: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 5336: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3925)[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 5336: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3925)[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 5336: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3925)Giant Marble Run - Forest BB

So, last weekend the dorkbot crew went on a road trip to Newcastle for the .

One of the many cool people we met there builds lovely little from copper wire.

About the same time, Chris asked us if we could make something awesome for Forest X.

So we started thinking: how about a giant building-sized marble run?

It could run from the balcony level right down to the basement, in the staircase areas which are largely unused and unloved, but which people go by all the time.

It would be a big project, but loads of people could participate. We could run it as a workshop over a weekend; people come and build their own little section, and then they all get joined together into one continuous run.

Almost any old scrap material can be used - you can use wire and solder to make rails, or use tubes, or bits of wood, or pretty much anything. And it doesn't have to be just a thing to roll down, it could be a real maze of Rube Goldberg marble-driven contraptions.

Dorkbot would co-ordinate, and build the one key component: a lift that can transport marbles all the way to the roof.

Dorkbot are meeting tonight, we'll talk out some more of the technical details, in particular the lift design.

I'm thinking of starting at the bottom in the basement, in the space surrounded by the stairs, going up through a small hole somewhere to the space by the stairs / above the doors in the lobby, then up past the landing outside the hall, to the ceiling level just there. Probably not going all the way up to the balcony level as this would give dickheads an excuse for going up there "to look at it". Does that sound good? Any other plans for those spaces that this would conflict with?

Who is up for helping with this project? We'll need to gather materials, organise it as a workshop (say a weekly thing for a month, plus one off weekend to put it all together?), recruit people to come and build sections... dorkbot probably can't take on all of that very effectively.

wouldn't it be great it if also did something useful, I'm not sure what, but it could be a nice addition. Otherwise I am still totally into it as it is and as art for arts sake, it was just an idea. bagel run perhaps?d xxx

Wow you guys, I got so excitied when I read the first bit of this, I could feel the energy rising and I continued to get more and more impressed and into the scale of it. But yeah, firedoors and noise.It is such a fabulous, and I agree 'essential" project, that really it is just as fabulous no matter what the size. We just got excited and wanted it to be bigger & grander but it was already fantastic.Can it have set times that it is 'on' & 'not operational" so it is more fun for people visiting the cafe? Everyone will understand it has to fit in with performances/workshops etc.

yknow what? i kinda think do it from the basement and itll just be fine yknow, we'll get away with it... as for noise, that will only be an issue in the hall, and we can build it so that the hall bit can be switched off if needed, while the rest can keep running..

Just had a chat with a friendly guy in the fire brigade (didn't disclose any details about where we were from etc) and he reckoned the only problem we might face would be the ball bearing heating up in a fire and transferring heat downstairs.I don't think this is a major problem, but we need to make sure we have proper fire detection downstairs. I think we do though, yes?We should come up with a plan, very much along the lines of Martin's suggestion, and then check with the fire brigade to make sure they think it's ok to go ahead. Let's not allow fire, noise etc to get in our way just yet. From the point of view of noise anyway, it may be best to just run this thing every half hour, like those features they have in shopping centres etc. Not really worth doing it constantly anyway.

Martin, would you be able to draft up where the lifts might go and what they might involve? How would they be run? Do they need to go around corners or can we find some straight lines someplace? Perhaps if we ran this off a series of vertical archimedes screws and short connecting downhill runs it'd be tidyer and easier to maintain.

What keeps coming to mind, in now a rather irritating fashion, is a vague incomplete memory: Wasn't there a kid's show or sciency show on telly that began with ballbearings/marbles going along a route, before somehow making out the name of the show Anyone?

I think it was a curiosity/sciencey kids show, with individual letters to the name of the show all arriving separately to join the others, while a camera followed each letter on it's journey. Perhaps the final letter only arrived via marbles...whatever it was really cool.

Maybe the marbles could move around inside a wire 'forest' name structure that hung dangling a litter from the ceiling, before journeying down the other side?

Got it! (I think) It was an amazing time filler-in, back when they used to do that, that used to come on around the taime of the kid's afternoon shows. It was fantastic & fascinating. Lots of cog work and little working bits that interconnected and part of it was playing cards stacked and falling on one another and dominoes lined up falling on oneanother, then balls rolling and activating other parts. It was somehow all joined together. Metal bits and coloured blocks and small maze-like coridors. I loved it.

We've simplified things somewhat - now planning on just going from the exhibition space above the double doors in the lobby, up to the ceiling of the landing outside the hall. That's a straight line for a single lift and still gives lots of space. We have a plan for a magnetic lift. See for the latest thinking on it, and for other recent discussion.

Sounds like the One Man's Junk workshop are up for building bits of the run.

The next dorkbot meeting is May 27th. We might try to build something then. If you want to be involved in all this, say so.

Also - would Forest be interested in funding this project at all? We can build most of it from junk, but to make a reliable mechanism in a reasonable timescale it would be a huge help if we could buy some materials. We're looking at things like £18 for 50 steel ball bearings (the marbles), £8 for magnets for the lift, £12 for webbing to go round the pulleys, some tubing for balls to run between sections on - £50 budget all up? Or a bit more would also let us buy basic useful stuff for people to build bits of marble run out of at a workshop - tubing, wire, etc.

I've had an interesting idea for jazzing this up a bit. The run is made up of loads of 2L bottles at the moment, but there's nothing in these. Why not put some creative mazes etc in bottles and replace those currently there? I'm going to have a mess with one and see what I can come up with.

[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

46 posts
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable
• Page 1 of 1